Innisfree in Singapore! + [REVIEW] Innisfree Green Tea Seed Serum

Hello readers!

For those who are huge fans of Innisfree products (like me!), I'm sure you know by now that a store has finally opened in Singapore on November 22nd!

It's located at #B2-34/35 of Takashimaya/Ngee Ann City. It's located nearby the water fountain. 

Store Layout (Credits to Today Online)

The salespeople there are friendly and helpful - giving great recommendations and helpful suggestions to suit your needs. :) Special thanks to the lady who recommended various hand creams to me! You were a cheery and patient salesperson. :) 

Prices in the store are comparable to Korea's, especially the facial care products. Cosmetics were marked a little more steeply, but hey, when you take into account the costs of importing these products, I guess it's worth the investment. Despite the slightly higher prices, most of the products in the store were no more than $20-30. 

As an avid fan of Innisfree's products - especially their cosmetics & body care, I left the store with these few items. (I'll be doing a review for most of these products at a later date, so do check in often!)

[Top Left to Right] Green Barley Cleansing Wipes (free with every purchase), Jeju Volcanic Blackhead Out Kit (2 for $4)
[Bottom Left to Right] Mineral Make Up Base in #3 Purple ($20), Green Tea Mineral Mist 50ml ($8), Olive Real Moisture Hand Cream ($10), Green Tea Pure Deluxe Kit (free with every purchase $50 & above), Green Tea Pure Cleansing Water ($20)

I also got the Green Tea Seed Serum Special Set for my mother. :) Although this isn't mine, but my mom and I had a chance to try out the products yesterday night, and I was pretty impressed by the results the next day. Hence, today's review would be on this wonderful serum. 

Green Tea Seed Serum Special Set ($36)

Product Benefits:

The green tea seed serum is part of the green tea line, boasting 100% Jeju eco-friendly green tea water (in place of distilled water). 

It contains green tea seed and green complex from the islands of Jeju and revives dry, stressed skin by supplying abundant moisture. 

It also has a 3-free system - no mineral oil, no artificial colour, and no animal by-product. 

Serums usually work by reaching into the deeper layers of your skin, so remember to apply lotion/emulsion/moisturiser after that! Serums nourishes the deeper layers of your skin, whereas moisturisers nourishes the superficial layers. :) 

Instructions for use:

Instructions on the box says to apply serum first then the toner (termed as skin) followed by the moisturiser (termed as lotion). 

[Left to Right] Serum, Skin (toner), Lotion (moisturiser)

Pump 1/2 to 1 pump of the serum onto palm, and spread over face. You can lightly tap your face with the pads of your fingers to quicken the absorption of the product. 

Tap some toner onto your palms and pat gently over face. 

Dab lotion over face. You may also rub your palms together and hold them gently over your face to encourage better absorption. :)

Summary of Review

My thoughts: 

The smell of the green tea seed can be pretty soothing to some, and absolutely horrible to others. So I'd advise you to head down to the store to try out the samples available there before buying. I personally liked the smell - it was not flowerly or fruity smelling, but more towards herbs and grass. 

The serum was initially a little sticky, same goes for the lotion, but within 2-3 mins, the stickiness feeling was gone, and my skin felt softer immediately. 

My skin remained soft and supple the next day, even after washing my face. So i was pretty impressed with the product. :) I would recommend this to you if you have not had a set facial care regime yet (I'm already a diehard Laneige fan for my facial regime, if not I would have considered this line as a facial care regime too!). 

Would I buy it again?: This product wasn't bought for me in the first place, but I would buy this for a friend! Christmas is coming, and why not spread a little joy to your close ones!

Price: $36 for the special edition set! The original price is $36 just for the serum, but with this special edition set, you get a pretty good sized green tea skin (toner) and lotion (moisturiser) too!

Verdict: 9/10

Thanks for reading this! And do share your thoughts about this product!

♥ Apple

Psst, they also have another special edition set: Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask Set (includes 1 Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask, 1 Jeju Volcanic Pore Toner, 1 Jeju Volcanic Pore Cleansing Foam) selling at $21. The clay mask is another one of their all-time best selling products, so do give it a try! :) 

Credits to Coconuts Singapore

[REVIEW] Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder

Hello readers! In lieu of the first-ever opening of Innisfree in Singapore (words cannot describe how delighted I am - I can now continue to buy Innisfree makeup locally!), I decided to do another review on another one of my ultimate favourite product from Innisfree - No Sebum Mineral Powder.

This is from the No Sebum Mineral line - which also includes mineral powder, mineral primer and mineral pact. I have yet to try the primer and the pact, because I personally feel that this powder has a lot more versatility in use!

I usually use this as a make-up fixer as well as an eye primer (it's amazing in preventing crease lines as a result of oily lids, and also makes your eyeliner last longer!)

Product Benefits:

• Dual sebum control system: sebum absorbing powder effectively absorbs water & oil, and minerals provide natural sebum control
• Covers/Smoothes
• Contains natural minerals & mint
• 6-free system: no mineral oil, no paraben, no talc, no color, no animal ingredients & no artificial fragrances

Instructions for use:

Dispense appropriate amount onto the puff (included) and pat.

(Above) Before applying powder - Innisfree Mineral Melting Foundation (read review here!) only

(Above) Patting on the no-sebum mineral powder

(Above) After: Leaves a softer look! - Powder + Foundation

SUMMARY OF REVIEW:

My thoughts:I absolutely love this powder to bits. It's definitely a permanent part of my make-up routine! It has a very pleasant herb smell that is light on the nose. :) And it leaves your skin looking softer too! It's also great as a mattifying product, especially if your new foundation tends to be more on the dewy side.

Would I buy it again: Yes!

Price: (5g) South Korea-6000 won (S$7), Qoo10-Sgd$7.90

Verdict: 10/10

Thanks for reading this! And do share your thoughts about this product!

♥ Apple

[REVIEW] Innisfree Mineral Melting Foundation Glow

Hello readers!

Today, I'll be doing a review on my favourite make-up brand - Innisfree!

I discovered this brand during my trips to Korea this summer, and it was ultimately love at first sight. :) So ever since then, I've stuck mainly to Laneige for my facial care regime, and Innisfree for my make-up products.

Why Innisfree?

Well, Innisfree uses organic ingredients, mainly from the islands of Jeju. So their products are produced from natural, plant-based, organic ingredients. Their make-up range also offers a wide array of mineral-based products too. In addition, they packaged their items as eco-friendly products - minimising on the packaging, using soy-based ink, and recyclable paper. If you are in Korea, you can even return used and empty Innisfree products to any of the Innisfree stores to accumulate points!

So today's review would be on one of their latest product - Innisfree Mineral Melting Foundation Glow

They had recently repackaged and reformulated this product into two types - Glow & Fitting

(left: Fitting. right: Glow)

The difference between Fitting and Glow is that Fitting is more matte-based, and possibly also more suitable for oily skin. The Glow version leaves a dewy shine to your skin, which may appear "sweaty" if we apply it in humid countries (like Singapore!). However, if your skin is more on the dry side, the glow version would probably adhere to your skin a lot better. :)

The mineral melting foundation prides itself on the 3-free system: no parabens, no talc, and no artificial fragrances. This "free system" is often seen in many of Innisfree's products, ranging from 3-free system, 4-free system, etc. :) So it sounds very natural and organic (yay to healthier skin!)

The Glow pact appears with a pink swirl - which provides the dewiness of the product. 

As the foundation was repackaged this year, they had reduced the colour selection to 4 choices now.

I had always been a "natural beige" in most of the Korea make up products I've purchased, and for this foundation, I am still a "natural beige" at W2. :)

Product Benefits:

• contains Jeju minerals & organic green tea (the product claims to use organic green tea instead of water!)
• gives natural coverage and transparent complexion
• 3-free system: no parabens, no talc, and no artificial fragrances

Instructions for use:

• Use the sponge applicator included in the compact (*very important!! the sponge is by far the best applicator for this cream-based product

• Swirl the sponge (or lightly dab) into the cream compact
• Dab all over face
  (don't spread! it'll look like it is just sitting on top of your skin instead if you spread)

 

(Before-Left & After-Right)

SUMMARY OF REVIEW:

My thoughts: After trying out this dewy-like foundation I realised I like my foundation a little more towards the matte side. Perhaps this is due to past experiences when I used to suffer from an oily face and terrible acne, so anything that looks shiny on me now makes me convulse in horror.

Coverage is actually pretty good! I was oil-free for about 4 hours. :)

For those who have oily skin, or just don't like the dewy look and have already bought this product, I would recommend a finishing/setting powder - like Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder (click on the link for my review on the powder!) - to reduce or limit the translucent look in selected parts of the face. :)

And for those who are looking for a product which combines coverage and leaves a dewy finish, look no further than this melting foundation in glow!

Would I buy it again: Probably not, I would like to try the Fitting version though!

Price: SGD$20 at local Innisfree stores, In Korea-20,000won (Sgd$23.36), In Qoo10-SGD$20.90

Verdict: 7.5/10

Thanks for reading this! And do share your thoughts about this product!

♥ Apple

[REVIEW] Laneige Snow BB Soothing Cushion

Hello Readers!

Today's review is on makeup! I will be sharing my thoughts on the foundation I have been using for over a year now. And it is still one of my favourites! (I figured you would know this is my #1 brand by now, :P)

 
    
Laneige Snow BB Soothing Cushion!

My skin tone is fair with yellow undertones - as such the colour code for the BB cushion was No. 21 Natural Beige.

For those who are not sure whether you are a yellow undertone or a pink undertone, take a look at your veins under fluorescent lighting. If your veins are more green - you have a yellow undertone. If your veins are more blue - you have a pink undertone.

Product Benefits (taken from the Laneige website):

- A new-concept cushion-type BB with five active ingredients for Whitening + Sunscreen + Sweat-proof + Soothing + Makeup contained in the cushion to maximise the refreshing and soothing sensation. Every time you touch it, the air pump in the cushion contains air bubbles for thin and skin-friendly makeup.
- Also, it is provided in two separate containers to preserve the active ingredients and their functionality.
- The formulas can be used fresh and safely from start to finish.

Instructions for use (taken from the Laneige website):

1. Apply onto puff and smooth along the texture of skin. Then, pat to increase adherence. Apply another layer to improve coverage.
2. If there is no more content after you press the cushion with your finger, it means that the product is finished. Replace with a refill.

[How to Take Care of Puff]
Keep the puff clean all the time and gently massage it in lukewarm water with neutral detergent or puff cleanser  to wash it (I highly recommend Daiso Sponge & Puff cleanser!).
Rinse thoroughly until the detergent is washed away, release all moisture, and dry completely in a shadowy place. This way, you can use it for an extended period of time.

[Safety Suggestions]
Always recap after use. If it is not stored covered, helpful moisturizers and other ingredients can evaporate to shrink the contents.

SUMMARY OF REVIEW

My thoughts: One of the perks of this product is that it comes with an extra refill! :D So although the price may seem a little steep, but do bear in mind you're paying for two times the product! Make sure you close the compact tightly and store it in a cool place to prevent unnecessary evaporation of the product.

The foundation adheres nicely to my skin and gives off a cooling effect for about half an hour after application. Coverage is pretty good - it's more towards sheer-mild coverage - kind of like spraying BB mist over your face. One thing I wasn't so keen on was how it gave me a dewy look, reason being, in hot humid Singapore, it'd look more like my face is sweating rather than giving off that dewy look. >< But, this problem is easily solved by applying some dusting powder (I'd recommend Innisfree No-Sebum Mineral Powder) very lightly over the nose area. :) No need to dust the entire face.

This product, if used everyday, should last about 2 - 3 months.

Would I buy it again: Yes! I am currently on my 2nd box of BB cushion (3rd cushion) and have 2 more stored away!

Price (15g, 2 each): S$59 @ local Singapore counters, approximately S$35 in South Korea stores
(you can also check out qoo10.sg for offers!)

Verdict: 10/10

Thanks for reading this! And do share your thoughts about this product below!

♥ Apple

[REVIEW] Laneige Water Sleeping Pack_EX

Hello readers! This is the second post for today - I hope everyone's having a good time this Public Holiday In-lieu! :) I had decided to do two posts on three products today. The first one is on Laneige Power Essential Sensitive Skin Refiner and Balancing Emulsion which you can read here!

Now my second review is on Laneige's all-time favourite, multi-winner, best-selling product - Water Sleeping Pack_EX.

This wonderful jar of amazing product is a wash-off mask - but here's the thing, you don't wash it away until the next morning! (hence the name - "sleeping" mask). This is really convenient especially for those who might feel a little too tired or too lazy to go through the entire nightly facial regime when it has just been one of those really long and tiring days. Or even for those who are trying to fall into a habit of having a regular face care regime. :)

Product Benefits (taken from the Laneige website):

Night time skin transmission (permeability) shows higher rate than the one in the day time.
Applying it right before sleep time, the best state for the skin transmission according to the skin circadian rhythm, maximizes the efficiency of overnight water supply.
The function of skin remarkably declines in the night time. Enriched with Beta-glucan, Water Sleeping Pack_EX deeply hydrates fatigue and dry skin while Ceramide SLN formula strengthens the skin barrier.
Containing the Snow Water, it helps to keep your skin look more crystal clear and vitalized.
- Antioxidant effect of Hunza Apricot Extracts helps brighten skin tone evenly by removing harmful oxygen and purifying skin.
- Recoverine from Chestnuts promotes turnovers of horny layers to remove dead cells away for vigorous water supply and sleek skin texture.
- An aromatic essence compound exclusively developed by AMOREPACIFIC, Sleepscent™, helps to relax your mind and body and derive for a good sleep. A good sleep effect allowing sufficient relaxation eventually reinforces skin restoration for healthier skin condition. Essential oils from Orange Flower, Rose, Ylang Ylang, Sandal Wood etc. are contained in the Sleepscent™.

Light gel-type texture without stickiness but moisture leaves you a comfortable sleep.

 Instructions for use (taken from the Laneige website):

1. In the evening, follow the face relaxing massage after applying skin refiner and emulsion after face wash.
2. After taking appropriate amount(2.5cm in diameter recommended - a little goes a long way!), mark on nose tip ,cheeks, forehead, and chin areas, and feel the scent for about 3 seconds.

(The product comes with a spatula for you to scoop out the amount you need!)

3. Gently spread over the face from inner part to outer part along the skin texture.

4. Go to sleep after absorption without rinsing off. (Wash face in the next morning)

* Use once or twice a week.
* Apply more than recommended amount when your skin is particularly dry.

* Relax your body and mind through the Sleepscent™.
* Open the cap and breathe in the scent of Water Sleeping Pac_EX about 5 seconds before use when you feel a heavy stress.
* Apply to neck area for neck care

Beauty Tips (from Laneige Website)!

      Try to release the muscle tension of head, forehead, eyes, cheeks, mouth, chin and neck.    Try to centralize all the muscle of the face to the nose tip and pause for 3 seconds

     Open your eyes as wide as you can and try to lift up the eye brows. Open your mouth and try to pull down your nose tip. Pause for 3 seconds and relax the face muscle.

SUMMARY OF REVIEW:

My thoughts: The smell of this mask is very very relaxing and pleasant. :) Upon application to the skin, it feels like a layer of cool, pleasant smelling gel.

(Gel-like layer on my skin)

This product absorbs in my skin within half an hour. In the morning, my skin looks plumped up and soft, no oily residue or secretions. ^^

Would I buy it again: Yes, definitely! I have one that is currently opened, and one more stored away.

Price (80ml): S$23 - Duty Free Stores; S$45 - local Laneige boutiques and counters (Singapore only)

Verdict: 10/10

Thanks for reading this! And do share your thoughts about this product below!

♥ Apple

[REVIEW] Laneige Power Essential Sensitive Skin Refiner & Balancing Emulsion

Happy Monday everyone!

I hope you're all enjoying this Deepavali-in lieu off-day!

Today, I will be reviewing three products! Two of the products will be reviewed here in this post, and the third one would be done on a separate post here!

The two products for review here today are the second and third step of my morning daily facial care regime - Laneige Power Essential Sensitive Skin Refiner and Laneige Power Essential Sensitive Skin Emulsion.

I guess you would have figured out by now, my entire facial regime is based on Laneige products - that's because I believe that they really do work well for my skin. I had noticed (after many years of suffering while trying to search for products that suit my skin, that I seem to be a lot more sensitive to american-based facial care - which has lead me to suffer from severe acne and hypersensitive itchy skin ><)

For those who are first time readers, Laneige is a popular facial care and cosmetics brand located in Korea. Under the company of Amore Pacific, Laneige prides itself in using the science of water to produce their best-selling products. Laneige means "snow" in French and is the result of intense research into hydration technology.

(I apologize, but I only have one photo of the products. I had thrown the boxes away. :P)

[REVIEW FOR SENSITIVE SKIN REFINER]

The words on the clear bottle says: “Soothing skin refiner with detoxifying and anti-stress effect for healthy skin.”

Now doesn't that sound absolutely clarifying? :D

Product Benefits (taken from the Laneige website):

- Soothes sensitive and stressed skin and gently exfoliates excess keratin without irritation for healthy skin with fragrance-free, alcohol-free and color-free system
- Bio Dusali, extracted from fermented seaweed with strong energy of life, supplies energy to the skin and promotes keratin turnover, while the Hyacinth extracts purify the skin from heavy metal, smog, and other harmful materials to leave the skin moist and transparent.
- Rice bran extracts with outstanding skin soothing and moisturizing effects along with a highly skin-friendly high-molecular moisture barrier provides sufficient moisturization and healthier skin condition.

Instructions for use (taken from the Laneige website):

1. Dispense appropriate amount onto a cotton pad after cleansing every morning and evening.
(one tip: if your cotton pad appears brown - dirt/makeup, if your cotton pad appears gray - dead skin cells)
2. Gently apply as lightly wiping out from inside to outside

(Alternatively, you can shake a few drops in the palms of your hands and pat the liquid on your face - Korean refiners work for a different purpose from European/American toners)

[REVIEW FOR SENSITIVE SKIN EMULSION]

Product Benefits (taken from the Laneige website):

-Enhances weak skin barrier to protect the skin, and its mild texture soothes sensitive skin with fragrance-free, alcohol-free and color-free system.
- Bio Dusali, extracted from fermented seaweed with strong energy of life, supplies energy to the skin and promotes keratin turnover, while the Hyacinth extracts purify the skin from heavy metal, smog, and other harmful materials to leave the skin moist and transparent.
- Rice bran extracts with strong soothing and moisturizing effects and rye extracts that fortify skin resistance against external aggressions improve stressed and weak skin for healthier skin condition.

Instructions for use (taken from the Laneige website):

1. Dispense appropriate amount after skin refiner every morning and evening.
2. Gently apply as lightly wiping out from inside to outside

SUMMARY OF REVIEW:

My thoughts: Prior to using the Sensitive series, I was using their Light series which I still found to be a lot better in terms of absorption and oil control. :) But this could be considered for those who have more concerns over sensitivity than oily skin! I use these products at least once daily (at night) and twice (once in the morning, once at night) if I'm heading to school/heading out that day. Taking my previous usage of Laneige Light series as a gauge (they're the same sizes for the refiners and emulsions respectively), both of them lasted about 6 to 9 months. :) So it's rather a good value for money!

Would I buy it again: Not really, I was previously using their LIGHT skin refiner and I preferred that to the Sensitive type. Mainly because I felt that my skin was more hydrated using the Light version and it has a nicer smell.

Price: I bought the Laneige refiner and emulsion at either:
- the duty-free store located in the airport:
- or at Lotte Duty Free when I was in Korea over the summer: Approximately S$23/US$18 (Refiner) & S$25/US$20 (Emulsion)
They are relatively cheaper compared to buying from the Laneige stores in Singapore (Approximately S$45 - Refiner & Emulsion separately).

Verdict: 7/10

Thanks for reading this! And do share your thoughts about this product below!

♥ Apple